Classy E24 635CSi-based coupe action, the B7 Turbo had 326bhp and managed 0 to 100kph in 6.1sec. Though you want an ’84 to ’86 one, because the introduction of compulsory catalytic converters in late ’86 dropped the power by 10hp.
Faster than a Ferrari Testarossa was the legend—but carried more people. It’s an E34 535i with a pair of Garrett turbos, taking the standard car from 208bhp to 355bhp. Now that’s an upgrade.
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Alpina’s modded 2002 tii featured engine tweaks, spotlights, an interior retrim and even Alpina graphics. Sort of a road/rally mashup, we’ll take one in contemporary ‘Inka’ orange—paint code ‘022’ fact fans.
There were Alpina 3 Series’ before this, but it’s the C1 2.3 that stands out. A paltry 168bhp sounds a bit light, but in a car that weighed just 1,100kg and had upgraded suspension in the early ’80s, it ruled.
You’ll want the later 3.5 for the E30. A straight six again, the biggest motor in the 3-Series at the time was the 325i, and the Alpina had a 251bhp max—enough to cover off a contemporary M3 (even if it did share the suspension and aero stuff).
Okay, so it’s a racecar, but the B6 GT3 (supercharged 4.4-liter V8 from the B6 S with 523bhp), walloped the 2009 season. In 2011, it won the ADAC GT Masters championship. Some 99 B3 GT3 (E92 3-Series-based) were produced as a celebration.
Probably one of the most elegant cars ever produced, the 3.0 CS could be converted into a super-slinky road car by Alpina. At this point, the CS was still badged as a BMW rather than an Alpina—but everyone knew the score.
Naturally aspirated and the best of BMW’s 5 Series shapes, the B9 3.5 had a 3.5-liter straight-six featuring upgraded cams, Mahle pistons and Motronic engine management. Not devastating, it still saw off 0 to 100kph in 6.7sec and had 241bhp.
It’s an 850CSi V12 but bored to 5.7 liters and cammed to produce 410bhp from about 375—enough to liven up what was a slightly stodgy Grand Tourer. Came as a manual, or with Alpina’s ‘Switch-Tronic’ wheel-mounted shift buttons.
But you want the left-hooker. Mainly because the LHD configuration allowed for three turbos on the 3.0-liter straight six diesel (RHD cars only got two, and less grunt), meaning 383bhp, 800Nm, 0 to 100kph in 4.4sec and a 286kph Vmax.
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
